Unable to shift from park
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Unable to shift from park
I started my 1992 F350 today and went to shift from Park to Drive but it felt like something snapped in the steering column and I was unable to shift. The shift lever is very loose and can wiggle in what seems a full circle instead of just a shift from up (Park) to down (Drive).
I tried to take off the shroud around the steering column to see if a linkage of some sort was broken but, I could only take off the bottom shroud. I think I may need to take out the ignition lock to take off the top shroud and I checked this forum for directions. They say to turn the key to on and put a paperclip in the "secret" hole but, I don't seem to see a hole.
I'm hoping I don't have to take off the steering wheel, it does have an airbag and I think I need special tools but, I sure would like to be able to move my truck.
Any suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Jim B
I tried to take off the shroud around the steering column to see if a linkage of some sort was broken but, I could only take off the bottom shroud. I think I may need to take out the ignition lock to take off the top shroud and I checked this forum for directions. They say to turn the key to on and put a paperclip in the "secret" hole but, I don't seem to see a hole.
I'm hoping I don't have to take off the steering wheel, it does have an airbag and I think I need special tools but, I sure would like to be able to move my truck.
Any suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Jim B
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Turn your key to where its halfway between (run) and locked. So basically, forward enough to unlock the wheel, but not far enough for the radio to kick on and all that. That should unlock the shifter so that it can be moved.
As far as it wiggling around, lay on the floorboard and look up through the inside of the steering column. There are 3 bolts up in there that whole the shifter linkage into place. I had 2 fall out and one was on its way, and my shifter was majorly loose. I'd say check all that out first before you take it to some shop and have them charge you an excessive amount of money for a possible little problem.
As far as it wiggling around, lay on the floorboard and look up through the inside of the steering column. There are 3 bolts up in there that whole the shifter linkage into place. I had 2 fall out and one was on its way, and my shifter was majorly loose. I'd say check all that out first before you take it to some shop and have them charge you an excessive amount of money for a possible little problem.
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Update
I have been able to get the top and bottom plastic shroud off of the steering colum and can see th metal tube (part 7212) and, it is broken about half way down. Now, how do I get it out? There is a pin that hold the shift lever in and there appear to be a couple of bushings around the metal tube/sleeve. Do I need to take the steering wheel off and drop the colum or are there a couple three screws that I can undo to get the tube/sleeve out?
Thanks for your tips so far.....I've come to the right place.
Jim B
Thanks for your tips so far.....I've come to the right place.
Jim B
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Oh yea, welcome to FTE by the way. I do believe that if you get up underneath like I mentioned in my last post, that you can loosen those 3 bolts and the bottom broken part should come out.
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Shift Problem figured out
Finally figured out how to drop the steering colum (only 4 bolts) and then immediately saw that the "shift tube??" was broken. Looks like strong metal but, it completely broke in two. There were two bushings (2 torque screws each) and then two more torque screws holding the tube to an angle plate. After that, just slid it out.
Now I have to find one and...of course...its Sunday...no auto part stores have this particular part so, off to the dealer tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the messages...while I've never opened a steering column before, it was not too bad. The one mobile repair guy I spoke to (who could not come out until the week after next) said it would be at least 4 to 6 hours. I think it took me 1 hour to take it apart and might take me 1 to put it back together and, I guess I had 2 hours of thinking about it.
Of course, now that I've stated this, I will probably destroy the truck in putting it back together and have to call someone anyway and it will take them 3 days to fix my mess. Guess I'll just have to be spending more time on this thread.
Thanks again.
Jim B
Now I have to find one and...of course...its Sunday...no auto part stores have this particular part so, off to the dealer tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the messages...while I've never opened a steering column before, it was not too bad. The one mobile repair guy I spoke to (who could not come out until the week after next) said it would be at least 4 to 6 hours. I think it took me 1 hour to take it apart and might take me 1 to put it back together and, I guess I had 2 hours of thinking about it.
Of course, now that I've stated this, I will probably destroy the truck in putting it back together and have to call someone anyway and it will take them 3 days to fix my mess. Guess I'll just have to be spending more time on this thread.
Thanks again.
Jim B
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Flyball, check your local bone yard before you go to the dealer, chances are you can get a whole good steering column for less money than the shift rod.
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isn't shifting into gear and lost hazzards,brake lights,abs light blinking
read your reply to flyball about shifting problem. was wondering if you maybe had an idea on my deal. I have a 95 f150 which the only way it can get out of park is to go half way in between on ignition and my hazzards, brake lights, abs, doesn't work and I replaced fuses on that circuit and it keeps blowing them. Maybe you could point me in the right direction. Multi function switch maybe?
Last edited by snwlprd88; Dec 11, 2005 at 10:28 PM. Reason: didn't put title on last posting
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but do you have cruise control? I dont know if the recall on that brake pressure switch would have anything to do with that same circuit thats blowing fuses, but its worth a shot.
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shifting problem solved
thanks handyman, found the problem why wouldn't shift. there was a short in the back up light wiring. that made two fuses blow one in the power distribution box back-up lamp,oxygen sensor heater, and something else on that circuit, and the fuse in the cab. thanks for replying to my thread.
